Bradford City v Mansfield Town: Bantams must keep jumping on race to winning post

Saturday was the latest example. After Bradford City's Roses setback at Wigan Athletic, the Bantams' chief opined: "There’s another jump in front of you. You either run into it or jump over – and we have to keep jumping."

Fourth-placed City's next obstacle are Mansfield Town on Tuesday evening. It's the hosts' fourth game in a gruelling 10-day period.

What is in their favour is their bouncebackability and ability to clear hurdles after a stumble, if you like.

On five occasions so far in 2026, they are responded to a League One defeat by picking up three points and on four of those times, it has been on home soil. Over the wider course of this season regardless of venue, there's been seven examples of this.

It's a good habit to have, especially at this time of year.

Bantams captain Max Power said: "I think what we've done well all season is that we've always bounced back.

"It's the business end of the season and no time for sulking or being down. I think that's one thing we've shown all season.

"We're a resilient group. Let's try and put things right on Tuesday evening."

Naturally, Alexander is also eyeing an instant response post-Wigan after admitting that City suffered a bit of a 'hangover' to their outstanding away performance at Vale Park less than 72 hours earlier

The City manager continued: “The game being moved from a Tuesday to Wednesday didn’t do us any favours (ahead of Wigan). But that was obviously cup competitions, so that can happen.

“Maybe there was a little bit of hangover going into the (Wigan) game. But the boys have shown all season through that they’re mentally strong, physically strong and we have to be ready for a really tough game again on Tuesday.”

After Saturday's game against Wigan, City face another two sides in the bottom half of the table this week in Mansfield and Burton Albion and both are likely to have taken note of the tactical template which the Latics successfully adopted last weekend.

Gary Caldwell's Wigan blocked City's attacking lanes, particularly out wide and dropped into a low block out of possession and were determined not to make it a free-flowing spectacle.

It worked a treat in fairness as the Bantams' offensively-minded players were stymied.

Former Wigan player Power acknowledged: "I've worked under Gary Caldwell (before) and he's a very, very good coach. He's obsessed with football and watches football non-stop. I know he was at our game last Wednesday evening.

"I had a very enjoyable period under him. He made me see the game in different ways. I knew it was going to be difficult.

"I knew they'd have a game plan. We played his Exeter side at home this season and won 1-0, but it was a very difficult game. I think they (Wigan) dropped into a low block.

"It was a perfect out-of-possession performance from them. Get the goal, soak up the pressure and try and hit us on the break. "Unfortunately for us, we make an error and we got punished (when Joe Taylor made it 2-0).

"At 2-0, we put energy into the stadium and it gave their players a lift when I could just sense they were tiring a little bit at 1-0."